Fur tells the truly interesting, and sometimes eerie, true story of a 1950s housewife (Nicole Kidman) who yields to her dark curiosities and discovers her inner artist. Adapted from Patricia Bosworth's Diane Arbus: A Biography, the film mixes reality with fantasy to expose the psychological factors that lead to the discovery of the photographer's true identity.
Director Steven Shainberg (Secretary) establishes the unconventional film's offbeat tone with an initial photo shoot at a nudist colony. This scene complements the film's awkward, dry sense of humor. Diane's claim-to-fame is her ability to make the ugly beautiful; it is this obsession with the dark and the extraordinary that drives her to pursue photography.
That fascination takes a human form in Diane's mysterious neighbor from upstairs, Lionel Sweeney (Robert Downey Jr.), who facilitates her transformation into the artist she is meant to be. Lionel is introduced with a masked face; a clogged plumbing pipe and a strange visitor provide clues to his identity, which is beyond the realm of ordinary. Diane's relationship with Lionel sparks her exploration of the unknown and inspires her to defy the traditional idea of beauty with her art. Kidman's performance captures the mystery and personality characteristic of an artist, making her inner conflict tangible to the viewer.
Fur is a well-made film, but for the average moviegoer, it has little entertainment value. Shainberg's surrealistic approach is interesting, but gives the story a somewhat slow pace. And the plot is untraditional, with most of its action being psychological rather than concrete. Alice in Wonderland allusions and unique cinematography complete the film's dreamlike effect, which is meant to properly depict Diane's mental journey. But underneath it all, there is a truly unique love story here that is also quite moving. For fans of art, human consciousness and the creative spirit, Fur is worth a see.
